Intercultural Communication
Learning Objectives
After reviewing this information, you will be able to
-
-
- define intercultural communication in the context of professional interactions.
- identify several benefits of intercultural communication
- identify the five dimensions of cultural
- explain strategies for how to establish and maintain friendly professional relations with people from different cultures
-
Introduction
All communication is intercultural. The term “intercultural communication” might bring to mind people from different continents interacting, but within the United States, intercultural communication happens every day due to the country’s vast diversity. Much of our communication is inherently intercultural from coast to coast, urban centers to rural communities, Indigenous peoples to first-generation immigrants, and various regional cultures. You can hear it in the distinct accents, see it in multiple traditions, and feel it in the differing values across states, cities, and neighborhoods. Every culture you’ve been part of has shaped your worldview and behavior in some way, yet despite these differences, we manage to come together as a nation, highlighting our ability to navigate these diverse perspectives.
Always approach intercultural communication as an opportunity to bridge cultural gaps and build mutual understanding. To thrive in the United States’ multicultural environment, you must move beyond media-driven stereotypes and simplistic assumptions. Intercultural communication requires openness, patience, and a willingness to learn from others.
If your work involves interacting with people from cultures you’re unfamiliar with, set aside preconceived notions and take the time to learn about them by both researching and engaging in respectful dialogue. This chapter offers key principles for effective intercultural communication in the workplace, focusing on finding common ground, recognizing cultural differences, and adapting appropriately in each situation.
Common Cultural Characteristics
Culture involves beliefs, attitudes, values, and traditions that are shared by a group of people. Thus, we must consider more than the clothes we wear, the movies we watch, or the video games we play as the only representation of a culture. Culture also involves the psychological aspects of our expectations of the communication context. For example, if we are raised in a culture where males speak while females are expected to remain silent, the context of the communication interaction governs behavior, which in itself is a representation of culture. From the choice of words (message), to how we communicate (in person, or by e-mail), to how we acknowledge understanding with a nod or a glance (nonverbal feedback), to the internal and external interference, all aspects of communication are influenced by culture.
Culture is part of the very fabric of our thought, and we cannot separate ourselves from it, even as we leave home, defining ourselv